Khao Phat for Lunch
by Liz Chalmers
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Pub Date 28 Jul 2022 | Archive Date 23 Aug 2022
The Book Guild | Book Guild Publishing
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Description
After thinking she has the summer to organise a move across the globe, Liz receives a call from her husband, Mo, to say that everything has changed – he needs her to join him in Thailand as soon as possible.
The Pits, as the town is affectionately known to the tiny expat community, none of whom can ever pronounce its name correctly and where very little English is spoken.
Follow Liz through the initial shock to a jet lagged brain at the sheer volume of traffic, noise, and the hubbub of daily life. Trying to provide appetising meals whilst fully aware of the fate of the creature which is providing sustenance is a unique experience. The difficulties encountered with the Thai language, customs, and the subsequent embarrassing consequences. Cockroaches, weevils, geckos or chitchats become part of everyday life.
The most important thing to take with you besides your passport, is your sense of humour, because without it you will surely end up on the first flight home.
A Note From the Publisher
Available Editions
EDITION | Ebook |
ISBN | 9781915352958 |
PRICE | £4.99 (GBP) |
PAGES | 200 |
Featured Reviews
This is a curious little book that I wanted to read because the expat life is always so interesting. Any reader should note that this doesn't seem to be a very recent accounting. I would have liked more clues as to when exactly the author was in Thailand and when she wrote this account. Is she looking back on this experience or did she write it and then let it sit for awhile?
Her descriptions are, nonetheless, interesting. I could never quite tell why the oil wives were so unhappy and why they were so status conscious. I did enjoy her trips to the market and would have liked even more descriptions of the food they ate. But I'd say she gave it a good go--both in writing and experiencing this.
This was a fantastic book. I could tell from the very first page that I was going to love it. There was something in the authors writing style that made this so enjoyable. Even by the end I couldn't work out what it was that worked so well. Maybe it's her honesty or that I found it hilarious especially all the things that went wrong. It's probably that she is naturally funny without trying to. I was laughing so hard when she was practicing her new Thai saying without understanding tone was important. The reactions she got was so funny. She wrote this book so well that I was totally engrossed and lost track of time. I have read a lot travel writings recently and this is definitely the best so far. I loved learning about all the cultural differences. If you want a book full of funny mishaps and learn about Thai culture then this book is for you. I can't recommend it enough. My favourite part was the story about the missing khao phat? You really won't be disappointed reading this book. It was that good I would of give it a 6th star.
Only the highest of praise goes out to the author and publishers for bringing us this fantastic book about your 3 years in Thailand. It was so interesting and fun that I didn't want it to end. Now I'm having withdrawal symptoms.
The above review has already been placed on goodreads, waterstones, Google books, Barnes&noble, kobo, amazon UK where found and my blog https://ladyreading365.wixsite.com/website/post/khao-phat-for-lunch-by-liz-chalmers-the-book-guild-5-stars either under my name or ladyreading365
! This is the story of Liz and her husbands's first year in Thailand. Although the date is not mentioned, I am guessing it was in the late 1980s. Getting to grips with buying food at the markets is balanced with the intricacies of the ex part community hierarchy. This is, at times, a laugh out loud book, so watch out where you are reading it I was left wanting to read more.
Some years ago the author left her Midlands home in England to join her husband in Thailand. This memoir is amusing, intimate, fascinating and at times shocking.
Liz Chalmers has a great sense of humour, something she really needed as she embraced a new culture. There are shocks in the nearby market, after a death defying walk along pavements like obstacle courses, and the ever present risk of maniac drivers and rabid dogs.
There is never a dull moment in this splendid record of Liz's first year in Asia and she captures a special moment in time perfectly.
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